1
as in to disperse
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart
police used tear gas to clear out the demonstrators
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
everyone cleared out as soon as the fire alarm began sounding
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to depart
to leave a place often for another
the lunch crowd usually clears out by 2:00 p.m. at the latest
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of clear out
Christmas lights were twinkling on Washington Street, and around him, students were clearing out for the holidays, wheeling their suitcases behind them.
—
Ellen Barry, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
As police cleared out Times Square so the city Department of Sanitation could sweep up all the New Year’s confetti, cops were called to W. 137th St. and Lenox Ave.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2025
Once you’re finished, reconnect the power and run the disposal with hot water to clear out the soapy water.
—Julia Mitchem, Architectural Digest, 30 Dec. 2024
One made up mostly of professionals might be packed in the after-work hours, while another one that caters to the retiree crowd may clear out well before 5:00 p.m.
—Christa Sgobba, SELF, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clear out 
Ellen Barry, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
As police cleared out Times Square so the city Department of Sanitation could sweep up all the New Year’s confetti, cops were called to W. 137th St. and Lenox Ave.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2025
Once you’re finished, reconnect the power and run the disposal with hot water to clear out the soapy water.
—Julia Mitchem, Architectural Digest, 30 Dec. 2024
One made up mostly of professionals might be packed in the after-work hours, while another one that caters to the retiree crowd may clear out well before 5:00 p.m.
—Christa Sgobba, SELF, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clear out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clear out
Verb
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Now, however, with the moa extinct, the fungi are likely not being dispersed as widely or as often.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 Jan. 2025
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Cunningham’s message to the group lasted no more than 30 seconds — with starting center Jalen Duren listening intently — but by the time the huddle dispersed, the team seemed unified.—
Kelly Iko,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The foxes are a legacy of the 2006 war between Lebanon's Hezbollah militia and Israel, when the animals moved down to the coast to escape fighting in the hills.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
22 Jan. 2025
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At the time, the German marque was based in Gmünd, Austria, having left Stuttgart to escape the Allied troops who were on their way to defeat Hitler.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Melvin succeeded Hoda Kotb, who announced her plan to depart last year and had her last day on Friday.—
Alex Weprin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
15 Jan. 2025
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In this scenario, TikTok would die a slow death, as its technology degrades and its social fabric weakens with users departing for other platforms.—
Andrew R. Chow,
TIME,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The report found that 5% of the camps were created right after the quake in 2010, while an overwhelming number have sprouted up in response to the widespread gang violence that has forced Haitians to flee their homes and neighborhoods.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
14 Jan. 2025
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Refugees are people who are forced to flee their homes and are unable to return because of war and persecution.—
Carissa Zaffiro,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The snow is moving east Tuesday, and is affecting coastal areas all the way to the Florida Panhandle and southern Carolinas.—
Andrew Freedman,
Axios,
22 Jan. 2025
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To land the kiss on her cheek, Trump would have had to either crane his neck or move her hat.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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There are generally two types of fighters in these brawls: the kind who get in — and push harder — when they’re hit in the face, and those who get out.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
14 Jan. 2025
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And so my wife got out with our passports and that was it.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Biden and first lady Jill Biden will exit the Capitol grounds by plane after the transfer of power and return to private life.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
17 Jan. 2025
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But rather confusingly, this fracas appears to have been staged so that duo can exit their top-secret careers as globe-trotting clandestine agents, disappearing together into civilian life.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Editors are awash with clients and premium microphones are flying off the shelves.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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Foster, fascinated by machines—and perhaps most appreciative of other people when they’re seen from an L. S. Lowry-like distance—had taken to flying gliders, and then planes.—
Ian Parker,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near clear out
Cite this Entry
“Clear out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clear%20out. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.
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